Test matches are generally considered to be a first-class match between the senior ‘A’ teams of two nations.
NZR delivers Test matches at stadiums around the country in partnership with Provincial Unions who successfully 'win' Test match hosting tenders.
There is a lot of work involved in putting on a well-run, world-leading Test match, including match, commercial and media operations, as well as hosting VIPs and officials from around the world.
Our people also regularly travel to overseas Test matches to make sure we are delivering at the highest level and to help support and, in some cases, train the delivery teams in those areas.
The All Blacks also share trophies with international sides which they compete for everytime the two sides meet for Test matches. These include:
The Hillary Shield honours the late Sir Edmund Hillary and his contribution to New Zealand and Great Britain. The Shield was first played for when the All Blacks took on England at Twickenham in 2008. The Shield honours Sir Edmund’s lifetime of achievements as a mountaineer, adventurer, humanitarian, and as a Knight of the Garter. A legendary figure in New Zealand, Sir Edmund was also widely respected in the UK and around the world as the climber who, with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, made the first successful ascent of Mount Everest in 1953 as part of a British climbing expedition. The All Blacks have held the Shield since 2013.
The David Gallaher Cup is contested between New Zealand and France, with the trophy going to the winner of any particular Test series or one-off match between the two nations. The Cup commemorates Dave Gallaher who was Captain of the famous 1905-06 All Blacks and later died from his wounds at Passchendaele in 1917. It was first played for in 2000. New Zealand won the first series. They defended the trophy six times until the French claimed the trophy in 2009 (the All Blacks won it back later that year) and the All Blacks have held the trophy since. If the Series is tied, then the holder is determined by points differential.
In 1932, Charles Bathurst – the fourth Governor General of New Zealand and the 1st Viscount Bledisloe, awarded the Bledisloe Cup to symbolise the clashes between New Zealand and Australia. As of 2016, the two teams play in a three-match series, with two of those matches counting towards the Investec Rugby Championship. The All Blacks have held the Bledisloe Cup for the last 17 years.
The Freedom Cup is contested between New Zealand and South Africa. Introduced in 2004 as part of the 10th anniversary of South Africa’s first democratic election, it is presented to the winner of the annual matches between the two nations – which have traditionally also been Investec Rugby Championship fixtures. The All Blacks claimed the Freedom Cup for the first time in 2006. South Africa has held it just once – in 2009.